PARTNERS in Every Season

Over the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and connect with many of you, including donor partners, nonprofit partners, community partners and more. One thing that has stood out to me is the wide range of stories of how you began your partnership with Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

Some of you started as leaders serving on our Youth Grant Committee and kept us in mind as your career progressed and your giving capacity grew.

Like our YGCers, many of you started as passionate community members, giving your time and talent as volunteers and deepening your investment to also include financial contributions.

Others were introduced to the Community Foundation through one of our Field of Interest funds led by community volunteers you know and trust.

Many of you learned about our services through your financial advisor or estate planning attorney. You began your relationship with us by starting your very own fund to carry out your and your family’s philanthropic goals.

And then, there are those of you who have elevated the Community Foundation to the level of family from the very beginning by joining our Metz Legacy Society and naming us in your estate plan.

These are just a few incredible stories I’ve heard so far. I am so eager to learn more.

The central theme of these stories is that whether you are a rising or seasoned philanthropist—philanthropist defined as anyone with a love for humanity— there is an opportunity to partner with us through all your life phases and stages.

In this issue of PARTNERS in community, we share tips on how to partner with the Community Foundation throughout various life milestones; we invite you into a conversation with a donor partner whose relationship with us has taken many forms over the years; we provide an update from our Youth Grant Committee leaders and our longtime nonprofit partner United Methodist Community House; we explore how we are supporting leadership development and capacity building for leaders of color; and so much more!

No matter how our story together started, I am so grateful for all the ways you partner with the Community Foundation and trust us to help carry out your vision for the future of our community.

LaSandra A. Gaddy

President and CEO, Grand Rapids Community Foundation